The peace that formerly reigned in Terra Nova has eroded, now little more than a memory. War ravages the continent. Disputes divide kingdoms; ideals divide families. The quest for power consumes absolutely and indiscriminately. None are immune to its allure.
Who will rise and who will fall? Only time—and ambition—will tell.
UPDATES
05.26.2023
2 month character creation hold for all existing members begins 6/5/2023. Ended 8/5/2023.
10.29.2023
Change in how times flows. Was 4 IC seasons, now only 2 IC seasons per 1 OOC year.
5 whole years of Heir Apparent goodness! When I started the site, I knew I was hunkering down for the long haul, but I never could have predicted the numerous twists and turns this roleplay site has seen. Hundreds of plots, characters, and members have come and gone, all leaving marks on the site. I am so very thankful for those who have invested. Because you keep coming back, keep getting on, and keep writing, Heir Apparent has the legacy it does today. Three cheers to us!
Imani had finally managed to escape from her father's hut. He would be training Isiah together with his sons today, and her mother, Soraya, would be looking after Azia while Imani was out. Of course this didn't happen without one of their speeches about how she should find a new man, how Rahil had been dead for seven years and how they couldn't look after her children every time she wanted to pretend to be a warrior. They still didn't understand the whole Parabolti thing, and were rooted in their old beliefs about women being inferior and how men were warriors. Imani endured these speeches without saying too much, apart from "yes father" and "no father" every so often.
Once outside, she sighed and followed it up by inhaling the outside air. She made her way over to where the Parabolti women mostly trained, and started doing some exercises to loosen up her muscles. She didn't want to sprain anything while training. She had put her axes down for the time being so she wouldn't accidentally cut herself on one.
Catrin moved slowly among her women, stretching her own muscles as she went. She always had to multi-task during their trainings, as she had to train herself while also monitoring the other women. It was a routine that was as familiar to her as breathing at this point. She shared a few words of encouragement with various women, some more stern than others.
As she came to the end of the line, she stopped next to Imani, giving her a brief once over before she said, "How are you doing?"
By the time Catrin reached her, Imani had picked up the axes and out them in their holders. She had expected a question about what she would be doing today, or how her training was going, but the woman asked how she was doing. Imani smiled slightly and shrugged. "I can't complain, ma'am, so good, I'd say. I hope the same goes for you." She tapped her fingers on one of the axes. "I was going to practice some more today."
For a time, Catrin had been solely focused on the women's training and only cared for how they were progressing. The Nevermerans who assisted in her training had slowly taught her differently though. For morale reasons, she had to be a bit kinda to her women. It was a precarious group she managed, and they could just as easily quit and go back to their previous lives if she pushed them too hard and gave them no reason to be loyal to her.
It was not something that came very easily to her though, and she only nodded in return. "I am okay," she said, and the immediately returned to business. "You should be practicing every day, Imani. How have your sessions gone?"
She bit her lip and looked at her weapons to avoid eye contact. "I try to practice everyday, ma'am. It doesn't always work out withe kids, or my father gives me a lecture about looking after his grandchildren. I'd like to start training with my son more often, but some people are so rooted in their old beliefs and give my son a hard time for training with his mother."
Catrin probably didn't need this whole explanation, but to Imani, she was one of the only ones that would be able to understand how hard it still was as a woman. She didn't know if Catrin knew that her husband had died many years ago now.
Catrin's face scrunched up into a scowl. It was a common story, of course, with Coheed still rooted in its old beliefs. She took a deep breath in through her nose, trying to remember that it wasn't her women's fault that the men treated them the way they did. They were all trying their best. She just wished their best was a bit... more.
"At least try to get some strength training in each day. Even if you are unable to practice with your weapons, some form of exercise is better than nothing." Finishing her stretching, she drew her sword and shield and turned to her fellow Parabolti. "Come, let us spar today."
Taking a few steps away, she'd wait for Imani to join her.
Imani nodded. She would do just that. She did push-ups and sit-ups every day, and tried to go for a run every afternoon, if possible.
She was ready stretching as well, and was glad that Catrin asked her to spar. Training with someone was always nicer than doing it on your own. "What kind of spar were you thinking about?" Would it be a fist fight, it with weapons?
"You say you do not get to practice your blade very often, so let us do that now," Catrin stated before she advanced on Imani, immediately going on the offensive and taking a swipe at the woman before her.
Imani nodded at Catrin and assumed her position. Right on time, too, because Catrin charged at her immediately. The young woman lifted one of her hatchets and used it to block incoming attack, while using her other blade to swing at Catrin herself, trying to hit her in the ribs with the handle of the hatchet.